Heel protector cover

ABSTRACT

A cover adapted to be readily attached in a temporary manner about the heel portion of an individual&#39;&#39;s shoe to prevent scuffing and marring thereof when driving a vehicle and which is normally caused when an individual&#39;&#39;s shoe rests on the back of the heel portion due to the design of vehicle accelerator pedals, the cover comprised of a flexible shell shaped to conform to the shape of an individual&#39;&#39;s heel and shoe back and side portions thereabout and adapted to pass therearound with the heel bottom surface fitting in a recess of the sheel and with a spring steel band affixed to the interior contour of the shell parallel to the shell bottom surface and adapted to resiliently urge the sides of the shell inwardly to form a friction grip with the back of a shoe for detachably retaining the shell to the shoe in a manner to protect the heel back portion thereof.

United States Patent [191 [111 3,851,412 Voegeleet al. Dec. 3, 1974 [541 HEEL PROTECTOR COVER [76] Inventors: George A. Voegele; Cecelia B. [57] ABSTRACT z i i if h of Box -A cover adapted to be readily attached in a temporary an au manner about the heel portion of an individuals shoe [22] Filed: 'Jan. 14, 1974 to prevent scuffing and marring thereof when driving a r vehicle and which is normally caused when an individ- [21] Applf 43282l uals shoe rests on the back of the heel portion due to the design of vehicle accelerator pedals, the cover [52] US. Cl 36/72 B comprised of a flexible shell shaped to conform to the [51] Int. Cl .i A43b 13/22 shape of an individuals heel and shoe back and side [58] Field of Search 36/72 R, 72 B, 73 portions thereabout and adapted to pass therearound with the heel bottom surface fitting in a recess of the [56] References Cited sheel and with a spring steel band affixed to the inte- UNIT D T T PATENTS rior contour of the shell parallel to the shell bottom I 8 5 4 4 l9 n 6 surface and adapted to resiliently urge the sides of the g '2g x 23 zn 3 /72 B shell inwardly to form a friction grip with the back of 3:153:289 10/1964 Martinm" a shoe for detachably retaining the shell to the shoe in 3,2l7,430 ll/l965 Novick 36/72 B Primary ExaminerPatrick D. Lawson a manner to protect the heel back portion thereof.

4 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures HEEL PROTECTOR COVER This invention relates generally to protective devices and more particularly to a new and novel heel protector cover adapted to pass around the back and immediate side portions of the heel portion of a shoe to protect the same from becoming scuffed or marred when the shoe is on an individuals foot which is used to operate a vehicle accelerator pedal wherein the shoe normally must rest on the heel portion to properly operate such pedal.

The most frequent and aggravating problem an individual normally encounters when driving a vehicle in a manner not soiling any of the individuals clothing is the scuffing of the individuals heel portion of the shoe which is used for the operation of the vehicle accelerator pedal. This problem is greatly increased during sloppy or bad weather since dirt builds up in the car adjacent and around the accelerator pedal thus increasing the scuffing of the heel portion of the individuals shoe while driving. This problem is especially noticeable for a woman wearing high-heel shoes as the major back portion of the heel must rest and substantially slide along the floor surface of the cover below the accelerator pedal for the operation of the same.

The present invention recognizes this problem and provides a novel solution thereto in the form of a flexible lightweight and attractive shield adapted to be rapidly and easily attached to the heel portion of the individual's shoe which is to operate the accelerator pedal in a manner to prevent the heel portion from being scuffed or marred while driving the vehicle, and which is easily removed therefrom without any difficulty on thepart of the individual prior to leaving the vehicle.

Among the features and advantages of the present invention is the provision of a heel protector cover I which is relatively simple in its construction and which therefore may be readily manufactured at a relatively low cost and by simple manufacturing methods; one which is devoid of moving parts and which therefore is unlikely to get out of order; one which is rugged and durable in construction and which therefore may be guaranteed by the manufacturer to withstand many years of intended usage; one which is easily and rapidly attached to and removed from the heel portion of the individuals shoe without requiring any great effort or contortions on the part of the individual in doing so while being seated in the vehicle; one which is easy to use and reliable and efficient in operation; one which may be provided in a plurality of colors and decorations appealing to prospective purchasers; one which is aesthetically pleasing and refined in appearance; and one which is otherwise well adapted to perform the services required of it.

Other features and advantages of this invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and in which like reference characters are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

FIG. l is a perspective view of a mans type shoe in position on a vehicle accelerator and having a heel protector cover of the present invention attached to the shoe;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the mans shoe of FIG. 1 with the protector cover applied thereto;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the protector cover as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the protector cover of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective viewof a modified form of a protector cover constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention and designed for use with a womans high-heel type shoe.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings in detail and in particular to FIGS. 1 to 4 inclusive there is illustrated a preferred form of a heel protector cover constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention and intended for use on a mans type shoe and which is designated generally in its entirety by the reference numeral 10. The protector cover 10 is shown as detachably attached about the back surface 11 and adjacent side surfaces 12 and about the heel 13 of a mans shoe 14 with the position of the shoe illustrated being that as resting on the floor surface 15 of a typical vehicle floor and with the toe portion of the shoe resting on a vehicle-accelerator pedal 16 in the customary manner.

The protector cover 10 is comprised of a flexible shell body member 21 having'a back surface 22'and side surfaces 23 which project outwardly therefrom in a general U-shaped configuration having a top edge 24 which is of a larger area than a bottom edge 25, the bottom edge lying adjacent a heel portion of the shell which is of a U-shaped configuration having a back surface 26 and side surfaces 27 with a bottom surface 28 and with there being spaced outwardly from the back surface 26 and joining the front edges of side surfaces 27 a lip 29 which defines a heel shaped recess 30 in-' wardly thereof. Heel portion sides 27 and back surface 26 is formed contiguous with side surfaces 23 and back surface 22 respectively. Further, the sides 23 are flexible relative to each other with the flexing thereof being controlled by a substantially flat U-shaped spring steel band 35 which extends about the interior of back surface 22 and side surfaces 23 substantially parallel to top edge 24 and spaced slightly downwardly therefrom and which is secured to such surfaces by any suitable means such as being molded integrally therewith, suitable adhesives, and the like so as to cause a slight inward flexing of side surfaces 23 in a manner to frictionally engage the side surfaces 12 of shoe 14 when the cover is placed thereover in the intended manner and shoe heel 13 is fitted into recess 30.

The cover 10 may be provided in a variety of colors and decorations appealing to prospective purchasers, and in operation the heel I3 and shoe back portion 11 and side portions 12 are merely fitted into the cover with the heel being received in compartment 30 and the band 35 engaging the shoe side portion such that the heel and back portions of the shoe are protected from marring and scuffing by the cover. The cover is easily slipped off the shoe prior to a person exiting from the vehicle in which the cover was used.

Referring now to FIG. 5 of the drawings there is illustrated the modified form of the protector cover which is designated generally in its entirety by the reference numeral 40 and which is developed for use with a typical womans high-heel shoe 41 having a heel 42 and a shoe back portion 43. The cover is manufactured as a flexible shell having an elongated U-shaped crosssection body member with a back surface 45 and side surfaces 46 and with a top edge 47 and a bottom surface 48, there being defined inwardly of bottom surface 48 a recess type compartment 49 inwardly of a lip 50 adapted to receive the bottom portion 51 of the shoe heel 42 therein. Disposed adjacent top edge 47 and extending parallel to bottom surface 48 is a substantially flat spring steel band 53 which extends from its bight portion adjacent back surface 45 to its leg portions adjacent interior of side surfaces 46 and which is secured in position by suitable adhesives, being molded into the shell, and the like so as to provide an inward flexing movement of the side surfaces 46 relatively to each other.

In operation, the heel 42 and back portion 43 of the shoe is fit into the protector with the bottom heel surface 51 engaged in recess 49 and with protector sides 46 engaging the back side surfaces of the shoe thus frictionally retaining the protector about the heel and back portion of the shoe to protect the shoe and heel against marring and scuffing when the shoe is on the individuals foot operating the gas pedal of a vehicle.

It is to be understood that the form of this invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as preferred examples of the same, and that this invention is not to be limited to the exact arrangement of parts shown in the accompanying drawings or described in this specification as various changes in the details of construction as to shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention, the scope of the novel concepts thereof, or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed l. A protector cover device adapted for use with an individual's shoe to protect the back and sides of the shoe heel portion thereof against marring and scuffing when the shoe must rest on such back portion when being used to operate an accelerator pedal of a vehicle, the protector comprising a flexible shell having a substantially U-shaped cross-section with vertical front edges and a curved back bight forward surface and which is shaped to conform to the shape of the heel and shoe back portion of an individuals shoe and adapted to pass around the back and side portions thereof to provide a protective cover thereover, a recess compartment defined in a bottom surface thereof having surrounding rigid vertical wall surfaces to receive the heel of the shoe completely therein so as to completely enclose the bottom and sides and back surface of the shoe heel, the bight portion of the protector adapted to engage the back portion of the shoe, the leg portions of the protector adapted to pass about the back side surfaces of the shoe, and a spring steel band of a generally U-shaped configuration affixed to the interior surface of said shell adjacent the top edge thereof and affixed to said bight and said leg portions thereof parallel to the shell bottom surface, said band resiliently urging the front edges of said side portions slightly inwardly toward each other whereby insertion of the back portion of an individuals shoe therebetween with the shoe heel inserted into the recess compartment will effect the spreading of said side portions to frictionally engage said side portions with said shoe and thus temporarily attach said protector to said shoe.

2. The protector device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the shell is manufactured of a unitary onepiece construction of low density polyethylene plastic.

3. The protector device as set forth in claim 2 wherein said steel band is permanently affixed to said shell by being molded integrally therewith.

4. The protector device as set forth in claim 2 wherein said steel band is affixed by suitable adhesives to the interior surfaces of said shell.

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1. A protector cover device adapted for use with an individual''s shoe to protect the back and sides of the shoe heel portion thereof against marring and scuffing when the shoe must rest on such back portion when being used to operate an accelerator pedal of a vehicle, the protector comprising a flexible shell having a substantially U-shaped cross-section with vertical front edges and a curved back bight forward surface and which is shaped to conform to the shape of the heel and shoe back portion of an individual''s shoe and adapted to pass around the back and side portions thereof to provide a protective cover thereover, a recess compartment defined in a bottom surface thereof having surrounding rigid vertical wall surfaces to receive the heel of the shoe completely therein so as to completely enclose the bottom and sides and back surface of the shoe heel, the bight portion of the protector adapted to engage the back portion of the shoe, the leg portions of the protector adapted to pass about the back side surfaces of the shoe, and a spring steel band of a generally U-shaped configuration affixed to the interior surface of said shell adjacent the top edge thereof and affixed to said bight and said leg portions thereof parallel to the shell bottom surface, said band resiliently urging the front edges of said side portions slightly inwardly toward each other whereby insertion of the back portion of an individual''s shoe therebetween with the shoe heel inserted into the recess compartment will effect the spreading of said side portions to frictionally engage said side portions with said shoe and thus temporarily attach said protector to said shoe.
 2. The protector device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the shell is manufactured of a unitary one-piece construction of low density polyethylene plastic.
 3. The protector device as set forth in claim 2 wherein said steel band is permanently affixed to said shell by being molded integrally therewith.
 4. The protector device as set forth in claim 2 wherein said steel band is affixed by suitable adhesives to the interior surfaces of sAid shell. 